Scotland publishes draft bill for second independence referendum

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon publishes a draft bill for a second independence referendum on Thursday to make sure Scotland's voice is heard in Brexit talks as Scots voted by a large margin to remain in the EU, according to Reuters.

Sturgeon, the fervently pro-EU leader of the ruling Scottish National Party (SNP) argues that the prospect of Scotland being taken out of Europe against its will validates a possible re-run of the 2014 independence referendum, in which 55 percent of voters opted to remain in the United Kingdom.

Although she has said she regards a second referendum as "highly likely", Thursday's bill is merely for formal consultation and sets no date for another vote.

"The consultation beginning today will ensure that a referendum bill, if it is the chosen route, will – like the 2014 referendum – meet the gold standard of democracy and fairness,” Sturgeon said in a statement.

"This government was elected on a specific manifesto pledge that the Scottish Parliament should be able to consider an independence referendum if there was a material change in circumstances, such as Scotland being taken out of the European Union against its will," she added.

"The country now faces exactly that prospect, including the likelihood of it being a hard Brexit with all the additional damage that will do to Scotland's economy and jobs, which is why this bill is being published for consultation," she concluded.

Sturgeon said earlier this month she wanted a bill in place to give her the possibility of calling another independence referendum before Britain formally leaves the EU - now expected by the end of March 2019.

Polls show Scots would probably still reject secession from the 300-year-old union if a vote were held now and any binding second independence referendum would probably have to be agreed by the British government in London, which has said it considers the matter was settled in 2014.

The use of any materials placed on the site is allowed on condition of giving the link to our site.

When copying materials for Internet publications, a direct open hyperlink for search engines must be given. The link should be placed regardless of full or partial use of our siteï¿½s materials. Hyperlink (for Internet publications) must be placed in the subtitle or in the first paragraph of the material.